Historic ferry service secured for another year

A 180-year-old river ferry crossing will continue for another year after councillors agreed additional funding.

The Fleetwood-Knott End ferry service connects the two towns either side of the River Wyre estuary and carries up to 35 people.

Lancashire County Council (LCC) is responsible for the running costs but shares them equally with Wyre Council under an agreement.

LCC previously committed £57,110 a year towards the service and has now agreed to provide a further £62,000.

Lancashire County Council said the extra funding, together with money already committed for 2027/28, should provide be sufficient to keep the service running until September 2027.

The authority said the agreement "provides reassurance for passengers while longer-term discussions about the future of the service continue".

County councillor Warren Goldsworthy, cabinet member for highways and transport, said: "This additional funding of £62,000 was not budgeted for and we have identified the money at short notice to protect a service we know is valued locally.

"This demonstrates our commitment to local public transport, but we also have a responsibility to ensure taxpayers' money is spent wisely and delivers value for money.

"Any longer-term funding arrangement will need robust commercial arrangements in place to ensure the service is both viable and affordable."

The service, which has been running since the 1840s, was due to cease operating in April, but a last minute reprieve enabled it to keep operating temporarily.

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